Report: Mutual interest between Doc Rivers and Clippers

Thursday

Jun 13, 2013 at 5:32 PM

A day after a person close to Doc Rivers told ESPN that the Celtics head coach was ready for a change, there is now a report that the Los Angeles Clippers have requested permission to interview Rivers.

Coach Doc Rivers is reportedly considering leaving the Celtics, according to several media reports. A day after a person close to Rivers told ESPN that the Celtics head coach was ready for a change, there is now a report that the Los Angeles Clippers have requested permission from Boston to interview Rivers.

Despite having three years and $21 million left on his five-year deal, reports are that Rivers is concerned about a Boston team that could be in rebuilding mode. However, the Celtics would have to allow Rivers to coach somewhere else since he still is under contract with the team.

Should Rivers and the Celtics agree to part ways, the Clippers would immediately move Rivers to the top of their coaching wish list. As of Wednesday, the Clippers were reportedly interested in Byron Scott, Brian Shaw and Lionel Hollins. Rivers is reportedly very intrigued by the Clippers coaching job.

ESPN also reported that the Clippers have discussed expanding trade scenarios that would have sent Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to Los Angeles at the trade deadline last season. The Clippers plan to be very aggressive in improving their team in the offseason and bringing in Garnett or Pierce — maybe both — would certainly increase their chances of also landing Rivers as head coach.

Rivers has coached the Celtics for nine years and won an NBA title in 2008.